The Town of Westlock’s Canada Day celebrations will once again begin with a sonic boom as two CF-18 Hornets fly over the town following Highway 18.
Community services supervisor Travis Darling said the fighter jets are expected to fly overhead sometime between 10:15 and 10:20 a.m., though he cautioned plans could change without warning.
“We’re actually only one of 10 communities in Alberta to get the CF-18s this year, they’re doing quite a small run, so we’re kind of lucky to get to see them this year. This time they will be travelling from the west to the east along the highway,” said Darling.
“Though if they don’t travel that way, we don’t really control the planes. I’m sure everyone will hear them in town.”
He added the town specifically asked the pilots to fly over the highway this time to ensure more people could see them.
Following the fly-by, a flag raising at the Rotary Spirit Centre will commence at 3 p.m. to kick off the party, hosted by mayor Ralph Leriger and two children from the community who have yet to be selected.
All the day’s events are free and include bouncy castles and mini-golf in the parking lot, along with face painting, an open-stage talent show and a trick rider at the race track nearby.
“We’re continuing the tradition of the talent show, a no pressure opportunity to show off what you can do,” said Darling. “Everything will be around the Spirit Centre or around the agricultural track. We’ll have a sitting area as well.”
Two bands, Sable Ridge and Ghostboy will provide live entertainment with start times of 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively.
“Sable Ridge is mostly made up of musicians from the area. They played our 100th anniversary event here so they’re really part of the community,” said Darling. “Ghostboy is out of Calgary, but they will be playing here again in February, so it’s kind of a sneak preview for what to expect when they perform at CATS Theatre.”
Inside the curling club a marketplace will be set up for local vendors and artisans to sell their handiwork and a concession stand with a beer garden will be run by the Westlock Legion, with all proceeds going to help the organization’s operations.
Darling said it was a good way to celebrate the country’s 151st birthday and help support the community.
“It’s good to come out and have fun with your friends at a low cost,” he said.
“Have a beer and a burger to help the legion out and in turn you’re helping your community. The legion does a lots of things supporting youth programs and stuff like that, so it all filters through.”
Fireworks will be in the usual spot, over the rodeo ground near the Spirit Centre starting at 11 p.m. Darling added that all planned events are happening rain, or shine, though some activities may move indoors if there is a downpour.
“Everything is a go. It will take a lot to cancel the fireworks. If we had a fire ban or a storm like our 100th anniversary that might affect things, but it’s not in the forecast at this point,” he said.
Around the county and beyond
Area communities will be celebrating with the rest of the country July 1 as Dapp, Fawcett, Pickardville and Thorhild are all planning events to coincide with Canada’s 151st birthday.
Starting in Dapp, where the hamlet is also celebrating its 101st birthday, the celebrations will be low key this year with only a pancake breakfast being held to celebrate the day.
The breakfast will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Fawcett
Celebrations in Fawcett start with a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will be followed by a parade starting at 11 a.m. This year’s parade theme is “Fun in the Sun.”
There is a $300 prize for best float and $200 for second place, sponsored by Jim Prince. Prizes will also be awarded for most humorous or unique float, best farm-related entry and best kids’ float.
The Fawcett Seniors Centre will host lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will include pulled pork sandwiches, pie and Canada Day birthday cake.
There will also be a ‘Create a sundae’ stand from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., sponsored by the Westlock Public Library and Alice Frose Library to promote the summer reading program.
A silent auction will also run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with all proceeds going to the TOPS community group.
For the sports fans there will be a slo-pitch tournament running throughout the weekend, the Shane Hay Memorial Beach Volleyball Tournament will take place Saturday and Sunday and there will also be a horse shoe tournament from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Pickardville
A pancake breakfast also kicks off the festivities for Canada Day in Pickardville, starting at 8 a.m., with the parade starting at 10:30 a.m.
There will be a pie sale at the United Church and a concession stand set up beside the fire hall.
Vendors will also be set up inside the fire hall.
There will be all sorts of activities for the kids as well, with a bouncy house, money pit, games and glitter tattoos available for their enjoyment from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Marcel Boucher Memorial Horseshoe Tournament will also take place beside the firehall, starting at 12 p.m. beside the fire hall.
There will also be a chili cook off, cow pattie bingo and an car and antique tractor show to fill the day before the fireman’s steak supper, taking place at the Community Hall at 5 p.m.
Adult beverages will also be available at the beer gardens, running from noon to 5 p.m.
And no Canada Day celebration would be complete without the fireworks, which will be set off at 11 p.m.
Thorhild
If the rodeo is more your style, the Thorhild Community Association presents the ‘Proud to be Albertan’ Canada Day celebration, which includes breakfast at 8 a.m. and a parade at 11 a.m.
There will be a dance June 30 at 9:30 p.m. at the Agriplex to kick off the weekend. Free onsite camping is available.
The rodeo gets underway at 1 p.m. and will include bareback and saddle bronc events as well as bull riding, barrel racing and roping, among others.
There will also be a steak supper at 5 p.m. and beer gardens throughout the day.
There will also be a petting zoo and inflatables for the kids.
The demolition derby will start at 7 p.m.
With files from Chris Zwick/WN
